Medical exemption?

LilacLillie

A friend has to take 3 Metformin a day for 'Glucose intolerance', but has been told its not Diabetes (???)
Yet has to pay for his prescriptions because he is working.
I run a Diabetes support group and have never heard such a thing, no-one in our group pays because it is one of the things listed on the NHS website as an exemption from payment.
My DH is diabetic and does not have to pay, and he works full time.
I think friend shouldn't be paying for his medical prescrptions either, yet he is.
Can anyone tell me if this is correct? I can't check it out with my dibetes centre untill tomorrow and he is going home later today.
Thanks in advance
LL

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Glucose intolerance is pre-diabetes which is probably why your friend doesn't qualify for free prescriptions.

Mojisola

I would get him to question the diagnosis. There's lots of people with a diagnosis of diabetes who manage to control it just by diet. If he needs medication, he has diabetes.

DrFluffy

Metformin for IGT? What about dietary control? There is more evidence for diet and expercise to prevent progression from IGT to T2D over metforming - IIRC, there are two good studies on metformin in IGT (but also concern it they might mask T2D and its complications - IGT doesn't get eye, kidney and foot disease screening), but diet/exercise is still the gold standard.

Has your friend been through this stage in treatment already?

As for your metformin question - it's not the drug that's on a 'free' list, it's the condition diabetes... Metformin is used to treat other conditions, including Polycystic Ovaries...

goony

There is some evidence that metformin use slows down progression to type 2 diabetes by helping with glucose intolerance. There have been some trials done with metformin and glitazones for IGT but as far as I am aware there is no consensus to Rx with either yet. I agree diet/exercise and wt loss are the main things to look at to prevent progression

digger3_2

To get an exemption certificate , the GP would have to sign a form saying the diagnosis was diabetes.Without the form, and the subsequent exemption certificate then your friend will have to pay for prescriptions. HTH Digger

ooobedoo

Mojisola wrote: »

I would get him to question the diagnosis. There's lots of people with a diagnosis of diabetes who manage to control it just by diet. If he needs medication, he has diabetes.

This is not correct, I also take metformin but am not diabetic, I have glucose intolerence. I will be sure to tell my professor that he's wrong:rotfl: It's a major tool in the prevention of diabetes. I have been on it for the last 6 yrs.